Ousmane Dembélé made history on September 22, 2025, by winning the 69th edition of the Ballon d'Or at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris.

His win followed a phenomenal 2024–25 season where he was a central figure in Paris Saint-Germain's historic first UEFA Champions League title and a domestic quadruple.

2025 Ballon d'Or Highlights

• Top Three: Dembélé took the top spot, followed by Lamine Yamal in second and his PSG teammate Vitinha in third.
• Key Stats: He finished the season with 37 goals and 15 assists, also earning the Champions League Player of the Season award.

• Other Major Winners:

  • Women’s Ballon d'Or: Aitana Bonmatí (her third consecutive win).

  • Kopa Trophy: Lamine Yamal.

  • Yashin Trophy: Gianluigi Donnarumma.
  • Men’s Coach of the Year: Luis Enrique.

It was a significant night for French football, as Dembélé became the first player to win the award while playing for Paris Saint-Germain.

What is Ballon d'Or Award?

The Ballon d'Or (French for "Golden Ball") is an annual football award presented by the French news magazine France Football. It is widely considered the most prestigious and oldest individual award in world football.

Since 1956, it has recognized the best-performing male football player in the world over the previous season.

Key Features of the Award

• The Voting Process: The winner is decided by a panel of international journalists from the top 100 FIFA-ranked nations. They vote based on three main criteria:

  1. Individual performance and decisive/impressive character.

  2. Team performance and achievements (trophies won).

  3. Class and fair play.

• The Trophy: The award itself is a gold-plated football made of brass, resting on a base of pyrite. It stands roughly 31 cm tall.

• The Venue: The ceremony traditionally takes place at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris.

Historical Evolution

The award has changed its eligibility rules several times to become the global honor it is today:

1. 1956–1994: Originally only for European players (often called the European Footballer of the Year).

2. 1995–2006: Expanded to include any player from any nationality, provided they played for a European club.

3. 2007–Present: Became a global award, making any professional player in the world eligible.

Expansion of Categories

In recent years, the ceremony has expanded to include several other honors:

• Ballon d'Or Féminin: For the best female player in the world.

• Kopa Trophy: For the best-performing player under the age of 21.

• Yashin Trophy: For the best goalkeeper.

• Gerd Müller Trophy: For the best striker/top scorer of the season.

Record Winners

While Ousmane Dembélé is the most recent recipient, the record for the most wins is held by Lionel Messi, who has won the award 8 times, followed by Cristiano Ronaldo with 5 wins.